As a child, Jerry was different from other boys in the mill village because he didn’t play sports, and he couldn’t drive a nail. Instead, God gave him high intelligence and a strong will to achieve. He began working at the age of 12 and saving his money for college. Instead of going to the nearest high school, he walked past that school to go to Columbus High because he needed Latin and calculus which were offered there to prepare for college. As a student, he wrote a book about Mark Twain that was condensed and published in Reader’s Digest. That was followed by many other remarkable achievements.
Jerry graduated from UGA with a B. A. in psychology, an M.S. in Psychology from Peabody College/Vanderbilt, and a doctorate in psychology from UGA. He was the school system psychologist for Chatham County Schools before returning to UGA to teach doctoral students, direct research, and maintain a private practice in educational testing. He was one of the first people certified to use the Rorschach Ink BlotTest and one of the few who could teach it. His work was published in numerous psychology journals, and he wrote a chapter for a psychology college textbook. Upon his retirement, he was recognized by both the state and national psychology associations.
Jerry’s family and friends have wonderful memories of his encouragement and his generosity. He traveled with his parents and encouraged his brothers to pursue higher education. He spent time with his nieces and nephews who loved when Uncle Jerry came home in December and took all of them Christmas shopping. He was a really fine cook and gardener, and his parties were legendary. He was a lifelong UGA fan and rarely missed a game until his health declined. He hosted family and friends tailgating and at UGA's Continuing Education Center’s brunch before the football games. While one of his nephews was a UGA student, Jerry would invite his nephew and friends for a home-cooked meal monthly.
Jerry was pre-deceased by his parents and his older sister, Ann Allen Culpepper (Charlie F.); niece, Kim Culpepper, and nephew, Charlie Culpepper, Jr. (Brenda). His survivors include his partner and caregiver, Cliff Craig of Carnesville; brothers, Wayne H. Allen (Judy) of Carrollton and Doyle G. Allen (Nancy) of Thomaston; one niece, five nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. in the Fisher Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Funeral Home, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia, followed by a private interment.The family will receive friends on Wednesday beginning at 10:00 AM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in Jerry’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. 5900 River Road, Suite 301, Columbus, Georgia 31904.
